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A tragic two-vehicle crash near the intersection of S. Columbia Street and East 7th Street on Sunday morning, July 23, 2023, resulted in the loss of two lives and an unborn child.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the collision occurred shortly after 1:00 am when a 2018 Honda Accord vehicle 1, driven by Charles Dyson III, was traveling northbound on S. Columbia Street at a high rate of speed.

At the same time, a 2009 Nissan Altima vehicle 2, operated by Jemetria Newell, was traveling southbound on the same road. The Honda Accord crossed the center line and collided with the Nissan Altima.

Kenja Crandle, seated in the front of the Honda Accord, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Charles Dyson III, the driver of Vehicle 1, and another passenger, Shamar Berry, sustained severe injuries and were rushed to a medical facility for treatment.

In the Nissan Altima, Jemetria Newell, the driver, and her passenger, Jene Martin, also suffered severe injuries and were transported to a medical facility. Jemetria Newell was near term in her pregnancy, and her unborn baby later succumbed to the injuries, pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Authorities have obtained toxicology samples from the involved drivers, and criminal charges are pending. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.